Policy
Senators call for election-security briefing from intel chief
“We are concerned that you may have directed the Intelligence Community (IC) to cease its intelligence reporting on this vital topic,” the senators wrote to the DNI.
Policy
‘Whole-of-nation’ effort needed to deter nation-state hackers, new White House cyber director says
The U.S. “must send a message this behavior is unacceptable” and will come at a cost, Sean Cairncross said.
Threats
Salt Typhoon hackers targeted over 80 countries, FBI says
The Chinese campaign appears to have reached beyond the telecom industry to transportation and military infrastructure, officials said Wednesday.
Threats
Documents detail China's AI-powered propaganda push
A trove of documents from a Chinese firm reveal influence operations that run at unprecedented speed and precision, Vanderbilt University researchers say.
Threats
Small defense firms are tempting targets for nation-state hackers: NSA
Some 80% of contractors are relatively small, said the NSA’s head of defense-industry security, who has helped hundreds of them spot thousands of vulnerabilities in their systems.
Policy
Are CISA cuts making America safer? Current and former officials clash at hacker conference
CISA's spokesperson backed the narrowing of the cyber agency’s scope, while a former NSA leader said it lowers the country's defenses.
Threats
Malicious states are working to weaponize open-source software: report
Chinese, Russian, and North Korean-affiliated hackers are working to insert vulnerabilities into widely used software, Strider Technologies says.
Policy
NSA general counsel removed; Laura Loomer cites involvement
The firing of April Falcon Doss is the latest NSA departure fueled by the far-right activist, who previously took credit for the firing of the spy agency’s director.
Threats
CISA vows to publish 2022 telecom-security report to get its next director confirmed
Sen. Ron Wyden has said he'll block Trump's nominee unless the report's findings are made public.
Threats
DHS affected by Chinese hack of Microsoft product: sources
The company says several Chinese state-aligned groups have exploited the zero-day vulnerability disclosed on Saturday.
Business
Microsoft ends use of China-based engineers to patch DOD systems
The move comes after a ProPublica report highlighted a Microsoft program that allows foreign engineers to indirectly interact with U.S. military systems through American “escort” intermediaries.
Threats
Salt Typhoon hacks into National Guard systems a ‘serious escalation,’ experts warn
“All U.S. forces must now assume their networks are compromised and will be degraded,” a former Air National Guard servicemember said.
Policy
House NDAA draft mandates database of contractors used in covert operations
The early stage defense bill draft would create an internal list of contractor clients that assist the U.S. military in its secret operations “to facilitate deconfliction and risk assessment.”
Policy
DHS intelligence office halts staff cuts after stakeholder backlash
Pushback from law enforcement associations and Jewish orgs came after Nextgov/FCW first reported plans to shed most staff within a core DHS intelligence unit.
Policy
Plan to slash DHS intel office faces multi-front pushback
Jewish-community and law enforcement organizations have asked Trump administration security chiefs to preserve the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis.
Policy
Pentagon gets millions for cyber in GOP reconciliation act
But the law’s deep cuts to Medicaid will lower cyberdefenses around rural hospitals targeted by data thieves.
Policy
Civilian intel analysts get relocation tax break long given to troops
The measure is part of the "Big, Beautiful" policy-and-spending bill passed last week.
Threats
Iran-backed hackers may target US defense companies tied to Israel, agencies warn
“Despite a declared ceasefire and ongoing negotiations towards a permanent solution, Iranian-affiliated cyber actors and hacktivist groups may still conduct malicious cyber activity,” a government advisory says.
Science & Tech
Cyber Command executive director departs for expected role in private sector
As Morgan Adamski leaves, the NSA's Patrick Ware will become the top civilian at the combatant command, amid other changes at the nation’s top hacking unit.
Threats